My time at Chauncey Bailey

OAKLAND- -After a plan to cross examine three suspects at the San Leandro Prison failed, the Oakland police created a plan to “conveniently” have a flat tire on their way back to Alameda Prison. The three men they detained were then placed in a room where they were secretly videotaped discussing their involvement in the Chauncey Bailey murder.

This was the juiciest thing that I got out of the Monday trial. I hate that it started 45minutes late but hey I can't complain, I signed up for this.

Anyways like I said in class I kind of freaked out when Joshua Bey looked at me. I know I shouldn't have been scared but seeing him on the video tape, then in person in his stripped jumpsuit and him looking toward me was weird. I just kept thinking, "I know you're a bad person and you're in jail for kidnapping and torture." SKETCH.

I had fun learning about the case and writing my story. I can't wait to turn it in and see what I got! Fingers crossed I didn't just jinx myself...whoops.

Crime & Ze Mission Ce Soir

Alors, je vais au...

Oops. Guess I'll keep that. I work at a Swiss bakery and my boss speaks French to me and sometimes it sticks. Take 2.

So, I'm going to the Mission tonight to see my friend perform at the Sub-Mission art space. Fun times. Drinks and dancing. Really odd, strange, dancing.

As we've discussed in class, I'm covering the Chauncy Bailey trial on Wednesday and I plan to get to the court house de bonne heure- early - to save seats for Katherine and Kealan (did I spell it right?)

I'll traipse around in the Mission to see if I witness any crimes, but mostly just check in.

I'll take lots of pictures, see what I can see.

Bonne chance mes amies!

(good luck)

ZERO police in South Beach

If you have ever been to 6th Street, you may know how crazy it is. A few blocks from Market this area of town is somewhat similar to the Tenderloin, although not quite as crazy.

In the CrimeMap at SFPD, 6th Street is covered with arrests, public disturbances, assaults (violent and sexual), and even a few scattered attempted stabbings in the last two months.

Ideal spot for crime, right? WRONG!

Luckily for me, this area falls right outside my limitations into SOMA, NOT South Beach. I hate to be all "woe is me" but it is seriously unfortunate, because I have yet to see a single policeman in my neighborhood, except at Giants games.

Not many crimes go down in South Beach, and there isn't a single police station in South Beach. The biggest crime I have yet to even read about in South Beach is a series of vandalized cars in a five block radius.

I'm glad I'm going with the Bailey case. Not only am I super interested, but it seems to be set in stone.

If I was to go with South Beach, the car story is decent, or I've seen some underage drinking going on in a few bars on 3rd Street. I'm not afraid of hard work or to dig deeper. But I'm glad we have to option of this case.

From the Mission back to the Castro (Blog10)

Today, before going to the Castro, I had gone to the Mission because I had an appointment with Mission Local’s editor, Lydia Chavez. Obviously I wasn’t supposed to be in that neighborhood since the Mission is technically Lisa’s territory (sorry Lisa). However, I wasn’t there to get story ideas so I figured it would be okay to be there just this once. My mother used to live around the Mission area and she wasn’t too thrilled about me being there. She told me it can be very dangerous, especially at night. Luckily my appointment was in the morning so I didn’t think there would be much to worry about.

When I got to the Mission it felt as though I was back in my old neighborhood, Richmond (Contra Costa County). Like Richmond some of the buildings were nearly covered with graffiti and there were Mexican shops in every other corner. I felt that the Mission and the Castro were like night and day, complete polar opposites. Not to bash the Mission, but the Castro is definitely cleaner and a little more intimidating to walk on. However, I loved the Hispanic culture of the neighborhood; it made me feel right at home. When I got to Mission Local’s front door I saw Lydia walk by with her dog on a leash. Before I was able to shake the editor’s hand her dog jumped on me trying to lick my face. The dog was so adorable with its curly light brown fur covering its eyes and friendly personality I didn’t mind it being all over me.

I was a little nervous at first because it was an interview for a summer internship at the paper. When we went inside my mind felt at ease, the paper didn’t seem at all intimidating. The news room was small with only four or five computers and several cameras on a table, which wasn’t quite what I imagined. Mission Local’s news room was casual but still had that professional newspaper aura. After my interview was over the editor said she would love to have me this summer. Lydia also told me I would be getting paid for the work I would be doing for Mission Local. Although the pay wouldn’t be that great I wasn’t too concerned about the money aspect of the internship, in fact I would have done the work free just to have my work published at a professional publication before I graduate from SF State (need to build up my resume).

When I left the Mission I went to the Park police station to see if my sources were available for an interview. Unfortunately the arresting officers were out patrolling their beat, but the lady at the front desk said my sources would probably be back after four. I left the station and went to kill some time at the Castro. I’ve spoken dozens of shop owners, residents, and even dog walkers to see if I can find more story ideas for my final paper. Their suggestions seemed to have led me to the Jane Warner Plaza, Duboce Triangle, and nudists. I may consider writing about nudists in the Castro or the Duboce Triangle, since both topics had come up on several occasions during my visits in my beat. When I went back to the police station, to my avail the arresting officers still weren’t available for an interview. As irritating and frustrating as it was all I could do was dig deeper and hope for the best.

Big Picture on South Beach

I'm struggling to connect dots for my final paper.

I have done the majority of work on this America's Cup coming to South Beach next year and I did my Profile on the effects this event will have on one particular restaurant.

So. I was thinking of doing my final paper on the overall effect of this event on South Beach, specifically the residents who I have neglected to really bring in to many of my stories (due to the fact they are so unattainable- out of all my sources only a handful are residents.)

The real angle is the fact that this event will be happening during baseball season. The number of fans that rush to the area seeking AT&T Park is already overwhelming, and I seriously wonder how South Beach (and overall, the city) expect to accommodate such a large number of people. (As I have mentioned in a story there is an expected 2 million people to come from outside San Francisco to view the America's Cup.

Other ideas. I'm wondering if I should branch out. Although South Beach is a little slow, I know there are other compelling stories out there other than the America's Cup. I have encountered a number of growing business, mostly restaurants, who have specifically moved to South Beach to achieve a certain clientele and atmosphere. In addition the mayor has recently worked with Supervisor Jane Kim of South Beach to persuade corporations such as Twitter and Microsoft to move and stay in South Beach. I think there is a story here. Something like the future of South Beach.

Thoughts are appreciated.

Press Conference for Chauncey Bailey Case

Sorry to get your hopes up folks! I can't seem to locate that link I stumbled across last week. I revisited the site, googled it, and searched news articles...nothing. If someone else also saw it maybe you can help in the search. I'm baffled. Hopefully we all get enough from the trials!!

Banksy hits North Beach.

                                            Courtesy of http://www.missionmission.org/2010/05/02/banksy-fever-continues/ Can be see on

On Columbus and Broadway, across the street from The Condor Club.